Keynote Presentations

Morning Keynote: Self-Care and Its Impact on LibrarianshipWe are pleased to welcome Karly Hall, certified coach, speaker, award-winning business gal, and Community Engagement Manager for Anoka County Libraries. Change is happening to all of us - at work and home. Libraries are experiencing transformation, now more than ever, making self-care even more critical for enduring change. Through self-care, you can build resiliency to adapt, improve efficiency, reduce stress, and more. karlyjhall.com/

Afternoon Keynote: Radical All Along: A Historic Look at LibrarianshipLearning more about our past can give us the strength to meet the challenges of our shared future. Join Ann Walker Smalley, Olivia Moris and Sara Ring as they highlight early examples of radical librarianship in Minnesota, with a focus on the people who founded and contributed to the MLA, the Public Library Commission, Twin City Library Club, and other radical collaborations. Libraries are often the first to adopt new technologies, advocate for intellectual freedom, and push for and provide equal access to information. We'll share some examples of how Minnesota libraries have done this. We will look to the audience for an engaging discussion of our future. What can we learn from these early examples of radical librarianship, and what new connections, projects, or advocacy should we engage in today?

Breakout Sessions

Measures that Matter (MtM)Jennifer Nelson & Joe ManionState Library ServicesMeasures that Matter (MtM) was launched to address challenges to public library data collection and use. The session will discuss the goals of MtM, the proposed Action Plan, and findings and trends from the Minnesota Public Library Report. Participants will learn about currant public library data collection and how MtM will build upon and improve data collection and use to demonstrate the value of public libraries in Minnesota and the nation.

This session will present how the Measures that Matter initiative uncovered barriers believed to stand in the way of a better public library data environment and how public libraries can better use data to articulate the value of public libraries to their stakeholders. Taxpayers and funders are demanding accountability, and libraries can employ data analysis to help make their case for developing innovative services that create positive change in their communities.

Primary Source SetsGreta BahnemannMinnesota Digital LibrarianThe session will provide a discussion of how and why the Primary Source Set program was created, a live demonstration of the resource, and an overview of their related teaching guides. This session will include conclude with a review of current activities including the addition of a guest author program and how you might be able to contribute.

Primary Source Sets offer a new and interactive way to look at "old" content. They are one segment of an emerging part of digital collections: digital storytelling. Digital storytelling can take the form of Primary Source Sets, online exhibits, and online finding aids. Primary Source Sets can help teachers and librarians make sense of digital content, use digitized primary source materials with more confidence, and in turn help students and library users.

Preschool CodingBrianna Bleeker & Stacy LienemannWaseca-Le Sueur Regional Library SystemWaseca-Le Sueur Regional Library System's Brianna Bleeker and Stacy Lienemann will lead a session that highlights ways to introduce coding to preschoolers, including hands-on experience with the tools we've been working with and developing as part of their work with ALA's Ready to Code co-hort. They'll also discuss why coding in libraries is important and how to deepen the experience for families.

Storytelling as Advocacy: How You Can Participate, Ann Walker Smalley, Sara Ring, Ann Hokanson, Kris WileyTelling the story of libraries to our elected officials and others is a key to helping them understand how our programs improve and change lives. No matter your role in the library, you are an important part of the story. This session will give you an overview of legislative activities at the local, state, national levels so you understand the process and your role as storyteller or collector of stories that contribute to advocacy efforts on behalf of libraries. Panel: Sara Ring (Minitex) on national activities, Ann Walker Smalley (Metronet) on state-level activities, and Ann Hokanson (TdSLC) & Kris Wiley (New Ulm PL) on local activities.

Additional ActivitiesNetworking time and other activitiesAn optional tour and happy hour after the event

Registration Pricing:

$50 MLA member

$70 Non-member

Continental breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon dessert break are included in the registration cost with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available.

PLD Day is an annual event for those who work in or are invested in public libraries. This event is hosted by the Minnesota Library Association's Public Libraries Division and is sponsored in part by Minitex, an Information and Resource Sharing Program of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and the University of Minnesota Libraries.

A special thank you to Minitex and CRPLSA for their sponsorship of PLD Day 2018!